Pages

Monday, October 02, 2006

I'll come right to the point: I'm temporarily giving up. I love blogging, and I love my blogs. I also know regular readers are no doubt sick and tired of hearing about the dial-up connection problems I've been having over the past few months, but it is now taking me an average of two to three hours just to post the Daily Farm Photo.** (DSL and other options are not available here. I'm lucky there's a local dial-up number.)

I've learned to have an incredible amount of patience since moving to the country, but this is trying even mine. Add in the fact that several days ago Blogger decided to start working on only 2 cylinders (but apparently just for me--nothing like the entire tool bar and 'Compose' mode disappearing), and, well, I'm on the verge of going completely bonkers.

I still carry my camera wherever I go, yet I've taken a total of only four photos in the past six days, all of the same subject (some gorgeous freshly picked fall salad greens). I'm not seeing pictures anymore. And, more importantly, today I realized I'm not even looking for them.

Blogging is something I do purely for the joy (and laugh out loud entertainment) it brings me. But because of these incredibly frustrating and ridiculously time consuming technical problems, it's started to feel more like a job that I dread going to each day.

The garden is calling (actually it's now stepped up to more of a yell). There are countless things to be done around the farm. And my mother, who happens to be visiting right now, is playing way too many card games with herself while I mutter obscenities from my stuffy little office.

Autumn in our area is one of the most pleasant times of the year, and this beautiful weather usually only lasts a couple of weeks. The thought of spending them cooped up indoors, staring at an uncooperative computer while becoming more infuriated than I've been since I stopped sitting in gridlock traffic a dozen years ago is really, really depressing.

I'm taking all of these things as a giant sign. I need to step back. I need to figure out what the heck is going on with my blasted Internet connection. I need to get the new modem installed in my computer (which I may actually be able to do thanks to the help of my genius pal Kitchenmage--who knows her way around kitchens and computers). I need to have enough time to post not only photos on my blog, but all those backlogged recipes as well--not to mention replies to your wonderful comments.

Most importantly, I need to start seeing photos again. Because I know they're still out there. I hope all of this won't take long, and I hope you'll wait for my return. I know I'll miss you while I'm gone.

That said, I am going to ask for a favor: I could really use your opinions and input regarding a small blog-related project I have in the works. I will post the details as soon as I am able, but right now it's time to head outside, breathe out these cyberspace frustrations, and breathe in as much of this beautiful evening air as I possibly can. With my camera slung around my neck of course--just in case.

P.S. If you're a new reader (hello and welcome!), this would be a great time to explore the Farmgirl Fare and In My Kitchen Garden archives. All the links are over in the sidebars. And thanks to Miss Kitty for reminding me that I'd meant to mention this.

**Clarifying a bit of confusion: I use Picasa/Hello to upload photos. The actual uploading process isn't taking that long, it's the fact that often I will get disconnected over and over and over after just a minute or two of being online (and I have to start the uploading process all over again each time). Then when I finally am supposedly connected to the Internet (usually at extremely slow speeds), web pages suddenly won't open, meaning I can't get into blogger, gmail, or even my blog, etc. etc. So by the time I've finally put the simple Daily Farm Photo post together, two or three hours have often passed.

I was working from home today and whenever I had a bored moment I would check to see if you had a new posting. Your photos and words are so much more interesting than doing photo research for a 5th grade textbook.

hi farmgirl - yes, PLEASE take a breather. it must be so much pressure to regularly post a daily photo and witty captions just for us fans to OOH and AAH over, so go have yourself a break and we'll be here waiting for your undoubtedly fabulous photos and stories (even if you think they're BLAH) with patience. i can't believe you were posting all of this on dial-up! that's so 1984 i can't believe it. talk about patience! :) time to get dsl, girlie!! the world needs your farm tales! take care and hope to "read" from you soon! ;)

This Texas fan will miss you, the adventures of your critters and the beauty you capture with your camera. Bless you and renew yourself - we appreciate you TONS and look forward to your reappearance. Don't want you to be a phoenix - no need for all those flames and stuff! Just renew and come back - please DO come back!

We'll soooooo miss you, FarmGirl, but we all look forward to your return. I'm with you on that "dreading" feeling--sometimes that happens, even with stuff we really like doing. Take a breather, get that internet connection figured out, play with animals, sit on the porch with Joe, cook and harvest...we'll all be looking forward to your return. Oh, and pet all the critters for me!

You know...this gives all your new readers (like me--started reading in June) time to go back through your old posts and try a bunch of the recipes. Hey, the break you intended for yourself will work for everyone! :-P

I totally agree - when the frustration level gets that high, it totally defeats the purpose and goes counter to what you are all about. I will certainly miss your posts and hope that you will return soon. Enjoy your time, the autumn weather, and the good life. Will keep checking in just in case...

Since you need to break away from blogging maybe you could take the computer in to the shop and have it "cleaned".. I have recently had troubles with my computer bogging down dreadfully bad only to find that it had several "items" of concern on it that needed INSTANT removal. I no longer use MSIE and I have a version of Symantics on here -- so far so good. Also stopped using one of my screen names as someone kept hacking my little computer. It's a thought and might at least help the dial up woes of being exceedingly slow...

I understand your frustration! Could some of the problem be blogspot? I've heard a lot of bloggers are moving over to typepad, which seems to have less downtime. But of course a fast internet connection will do wonders for your time. In any case, I wish you an enjoyable "breather" - when you're ready to resume the blog we'll all be waiting!

I totally understand. But, I'm just a few miles from SF ann I'm having serious issues posting with blogger. Half the time, my photos won't load. Heck, I can't even post comments to other blogs half the time.

I love your blog, but I understand your feelings too. It can feel a bit like motherhood, a thankelss job. But baby, you're out there, and I love your other blog too, but if it's a job you dread, you gotta let it go. There's no replacement for gut feeling. But don't stray too far 'cos we do love you.

I have only recently found you and now you are leaving. I certainly hope not for long. I love your photos and your captions. I do understand your frustrations with the computer and from your pictures the area is beautiful. So, breathe in and I wish I was there.....beverly ( my grandkids meme)

Yikes! I'm going to really miss your beautiful daily farm photo - those misty dawns and your funny little donkey and on and on. Sigh. But I know you'll be back with a faster connection. If I hadn't gotten DSL I would never have turned on my computer again!See ya soon I hope.

If it was something that could be fixed with a different server, I'd just put you on mine and get you a domain but dial-up is dial-up and there ain't no getting around that suckiness.

But 2-3 hours to upload a photo? That seems excessive. As stunning as your pics are, you really don't need to save them more than 72dpi for web use which will really cut down on the size.

As far as blogger goes, I have no opinion one way or the other. I've had my own server for so long that I just run wordpress. My problem is I am so involved with various volunteer projects, I can't seem to find the time to clear my mind to blog.

Anyway, I am pretty tech-oriented so if you need some tips and tricks, let me know.

I'm very sorry to hear you're leaving the blog for now... I hope you'll have a good rest enjoying the fall, and will recover the joy of seeing pictures everywhere! Please come back (soon), I'll badly miss your pics and your stories. I still haven't read all your archives, so I'll get to do that while you're away... Cheers!

I will miss you. But as many others have said, you deserve the break. This is supposed to be a joy! So you just take a break until you really want to come back - hopefully with a better connection. You will be in my thoughts.

We'll miss you, Susan! But things get like that, and a break is best rather forcing yourself to go on.

But when you get an idea and can't wait to blog about it, or you have so many things buzzing in your head that you can't fit them all in one blog, or you have a surfeit of pictures that you can't wait to share with the world, then welcome back!

Enjoy the Autumn colours. Take the time to watch DDD growing his cosy winter coat. Your blog is the one I most look forward to dipping into each day: when London is a bit damp and grey, and I'm wishing I was back home in the countryside, your blog is such a welcome lift.

Hope you get lots of sheepy hugs from all of the flock, and I'll keep looking to see when you are up and running once again.

when a joy becomes a drudgery, it is time to take a break. You will be missed, for sure! Here's hoping you have a peaceful, productive break and eat lots of salads and cuddle lots of sheep. We'll be right here when you return.

Wow, I completely understand you FarmGirl. Life is much too short to spend time on things you don't enjoy (or aren't functioning properly!). I had started a "Photo of the Day" on my blog (inspired by you), and have run into the same thing. I'm taking a breather myself for a while.

Get back out there and reconnect with yourself and the farm. We'll all miss you, but we understand. I plan to go back and wade through through and review all of your past pics in the mean time. Enjoy yourself Susan!

Our dinner table conversations will be a little quieter now without FarmGirl's adventures to discuss. I will miss you, Cary, Nanny Bear, Dan, Robin, Patchy Cat, SnickerDoodle, all the lovely sheep, et al; and all the beautiful photos that were used as my desktop at work. HOWEVER, I totally understand your need to break out of what is now a chore because it's out of your control. Please enjoy your farm and family and this lovely season. In the meantime, I'll look back on your previous posts and enjoy them all over again. We'll look for you later.Peace and love, Felice in Maine

You are a true highlight in my day....Your ability to see the humor and wonderment in a very difficult life is continual encouragement....You fail to mention what hard work farming really is....Enjoy your Mom, Joe, Cary, her adorble friends, and the beauty of Missouri...BUT hurry back , we'll be waiting

In the meantime, I would highly recommend TypePad rather than Blogger. I've never used Blogger, but most of the blogs I read talk about all the technical issues it has. I have yet to have a problem with TypePad.

This may not solve the speed issue, but then it may. There are several times I try to visit a Blogger blog over my company's T3 connection and I can't get on. After my second-hand experiences with Blogger, I wouldn't use it.

And there it was again. I just posted a comment which I didn't mean to be anonymous, but for some reason Blogger is still loading this page and not giving me the chance to type in my name and web page.

Once your frustration has been worked out, give TypePad a try. I think it will help.

I respect your decision, but I'm unbelievably sad. You're a shining star of sweetness in the midst of a million catty gossip blogs. That was a corny thing to say, I know, but I always feel better after reading your blog and seeing your great Daily Farm Photos. Take a break, get a better modem and come back rejuvenated. We'll miss you!!

Sorry to hear about your tribulations with the dial-up. You have done wonders with what you have, including your farm which looks beautiful... I too have been delaying my blog due to slow connection...I am hoping that our city is soon wired for WI-FI which has been promised to be completed in a year...I wish you luck and hope you do find the time to return once in a while and not give up completely...keep on shooting and my best to you and yours and the animals... K

I'll be eagerly awaiting your return! in the meantime, I'm trying all your old recipes-- made the Garlic Lovers' White Bean soup on sunday and it was great! I think Lentil with smoked sausage will be next (with some smoked venison sausage from last season that's in my fridge waiting to be used!) In any case, you've been a trooper with your posting!

yes, take your break and find your pictures. Wow, I truly understand what you are saying. I will use this time to explore all of your wonderful recipes and garden blogs. Take care of you...you will be missed.

I am so pleased all the above comments have been so nice and positive. If you are using the word "dread" in terms of something you do, then yes, it is time to step away. I will also check back every now and then to see if you have returned.

I know you'll come back because these things are habit forming! "Feed the artist within" is what Jula Cameron says in "The Artist's Way." Sounds like it's feeding time for you, Farmgirl. Satellite internet is something I would consider. I know people up here in the mountains who can't get anything else and they say it is great. I'll keep checking on you until you get back. Oh and have some fun! You work way too hard.BlessingsPaint

We run a business in a remote part of Missouri also, and we use a company called Wildblue that uses a satellite (like dish network) to give us a faster internet connection. It's not cheap, but if you still love blogging, just hate the frustration with the computer, this might be a solution.

BTW, my broccoli that you inspired me to plant are still looking good. Maybe I didn't get them in too late after all.

I have been wondering when this day would come. I'd been thinking lately that this has become a full time job for you. I fully understand and support your decision. I will miss you very much. Thanks for sharing your garden, your recipies, and your life with me. I have laughed at your stories, had my breath taken away by your pictures, enjoyed your recipies, found courage to try new things, and have often found a bright spot in a bad day because of your blog. I will miss you.

I will really miss your pictures and stories, but mostly want to THANK YOU for the hours of enjoyment you have given me already. Until next time.....take care of yourself (and all of your loved ones). Enjoy.

You mean...you're HUMAN?!...Oh gosh...and here I thought you weren't of our species!...You're a great writer, and we all know that writers need breaks...and something from somehwere...someday...inspires them...then they can't hold it all in...they have to share it!

We'll see you (and your farm crew) again someday...inhale the country air...then exhale again, because you know that heaven-infused air will continue to be there for you...and so will we. xoxoxo

If a hobby stops being fun and becomes a chore, it is time to do something new.

That said, I started my own garden blog (with photos) because of you! Please enjoy your away time, but don't forget to come back(although, I must say, hearing that you need a break from daily blogging makes me feel better that I only post every few days).

I understand! I do!!! I got totally logged off, kicked off, locked out of my blogspot this summer. I have finally started a new blog, but it really diminished my joy to have to start over.

You do need to enjoy fall(I'm in Kansas in the burbs as I write this). It is beautiful! There are "colors." I must get DH to this area or at least northern Arkansas so that he can experience autumn again.

This summer has exhausted almost all of us in the USA this year. The problems with heat, water, etc. have been trememdous. I think that we are all exhausted. There comes a time when one must retreat and revitalize one's self. My time is here! Sounds as if yours is, also.

Blessings to you for all of the nourishment that you give to others. Refresh yourself and come back when you are ready. Those are my only words of wisdom.

This is not good news to my ears. I join with the other 71 comment providers, in that, I will miss your blog tremendously. It is of outstanding calibre and very entertaining. Please take the time that you need to sort things out technically and otherwise, but laos, I hope that you come back soon.

Over the past few months, your blog has become a favorite part of my day and I'll certainly miss the daily post. This off time will certainly give me the chance to catch up on all the archives and even try out some of the recipes. Take care & enjoy yourself!

I experience the same frustration you do with the dial-up service in rural areas. This past weekend we had a line data check and my server helped me tweak my modem, but still can not get on to stay higher that 16.8 and most times it is 14.4. It is so sad that rural residents cannot enjoy the same access to the internet through DSL at a reasonable price. Hopefully, a company will soon come to our rescue. Thanks so much, Susan, for all of the wonderful words and pictures you have posted in your blog. Jen

I just stumbled across your blogsite today and am looking forward to RELISHING your entire site. I truly understand the feelings you have about PC speed... we moved to a remote part of Colorado last year from a sprawling, overcrowded "Mega-tropolis" city in Southern California. DSL is non-existant here, but SATELLITE is available no matter how 'boonified' your location. It's a bit expensive to install, around $400-$600, and about $100 a month give or take, but if this is part of a business, it could be advantageous for you to consider it!! (NO NO NO... don't let them tell you it's as fast as DSL or cable! It's about 1/2 as fast). Hope whatever happens, that you don't stop adding to your wonderful, inspiring, site. I'm a "wannabe" farmgirl. Sites like yours, to me, are like Honey is to Winnie the Poo. Sustanance!!-Val

January 2013 update: I know word verification is a big pain, but it's the only way I can stop the ridiculous number of anonymous spam comments I get every day. I don't want to require commenters to be registered Blogger or Open ID users because I know many of you aren't. Thanks so much for your understanding!

Hi! Thanks for visiting Farmgirl Fare and taking the time to write. While I'm not always able to reply to every comment, I receive and enjoy reading them all.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated, and I especially love hearing about your experiences with my recipes. Comments on older posts are always welcome!

Please note that I moderate comments, so if I'm away from the computer it may be a while before yours appears.

I try my best to answer all questions, though sometimes it takes me a few days. And sometimes, I'm sorry to say, they fall through the cracks, and for that I sincerely apologize.

If you're waiting for a reply to your comment and have a Blogger profile (it's free to create one) you can check the NOTIFY ME box that is below and receive all follow up comments to just this specific post via email.

I look forward to hearing from you and hope you enjoy your e-visits to our farm!